Motorcyclist, passenger die in I-55 crash

SPRINGFIELD — The driver and passenger of a motorcycle that crashed Sunday on Interstate 55 in Springfield have died, Illinois State Police said.

The motorcycle was traveling in the northbound passing lane of I-55 just north of the Stevenson Drive exit about 2:30 p.m. when traffic began slowing for an accident near the South Grand Avenue exit, according to a state police news release. The motorcycle lost control and slid onto the left shoulder.

The driver, a 48-year-old man from Normal, was lying on the shoulder of the road and was pronounced dead there. The passenger, a 35-year-old woman from Colfax, was found in the median and was taken to Memorial Medical Center, where she died of her injuries shortly before 6 p.m.

Sangamon County Coroner Cinda Edwards said two helmets were found on the ground near the scene of the accident.

Edwards said autopsies are scheduled for Monday. The names of the riders weren’t released Sunday night because their families hadn’t been notified.

A third three-car crash occurred as cars tried to avoid the downed motorcycle, a passenger in one of the cars said at the scene.

Traffic was backed up from the crash site past Toronto Road for more than four hours.